English
On Kindness to the Weak
Give shelter to the fatherless child;
brush the dust from him and pull out his thorn.
You don't know what left him so helpless.
Was a tree ever fresh once torn from its roots?
When you see an orphan with his head bowed low,
don't kiss your own child in front of him.
If the orphan cries, who will comfort him?
And if he grows angry, who will carry his burden?
Take care that he never weeps, for the mighty throne of heaven
trembles when an orphan cries.
With mercy wipe the tears from his eyes;
with tenderness brush the dust from his face.
If the shade that protected him is gone,
then shelter him under your own.
I too once wore a crown upon my head:
back when my head rested against my father's side.
If a fly so much as landed on me,
the hearts of many would be troubled.
Now, if enemies take me captive,
not one of my friends would come to help.
I know the pain of children well,
for in my own childhood I lost my father.
Someone once pulled a thorn from an orphan's foot,
and in a dream saw the great sage of Khojand.
He was strolling through gardens, saying:
look what flowers that single thorn has grown for me.
As long as you can, never withhold mercy,
for if you show mercy, mercy will be shown to you.
When you do good, don't become full of yourself,
thinking, I am the master and the rest are beneath me.
If fate's sword has struck someone down,
is fate's blade not still drawn and waiting?
When you see a thousand people praying for your good fortune,
give thanks to God for the blessing.
For many people look to you for help,
while you look to no one's hand.
I called generosity the way of great leaders;
I misspoke: it is the character of prophets.